Grandparent Superheroes: Embarking on 6 Epic Adventures

By Lauren Burke Meyer

Grandparents are beyond amazing, often helping dual income parents with part- or full-time childcare. If they’re not assisting with childcare, they’re babysitting so parents can enjoy a date night or getaway. Plus, there’s no greater host for grandkids and grown kids during a visit at their home.

No matter the circumstances, what better way to spend the special time together this summer than exploring new places with grandchildren? Here’s a list of six unique activities that are sure to create beautiful memories.

Kinder Farm Park

With farm animals, two playgrounds, and a 2.8-mile paved nature trail, Kinder Farm Park offers plenty of outdoor entertainment for people of all ages. Located in Millersville, Maryland, the 288-acre park is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to dusk.

Start your day with farm animal visits to chickens, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, and sheep. Then play on the nearby playground and lunch at the shaded picnic tables. Lucky visitors might have a snowball man spotting.

Pop into the Kinder Farmhouse Museum that’s restored to reflect what it would have looked like in the 1930s and open to the public on the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. Tours are free.

Cost: There is limited free parking by the upper playground. $6 for a daily parking pass. Bikers can go for free and use the bike racks. kinderfarmpark.org

HERR’S SNACK FACTORY

Located in Nottingham, Pennsylvania, the Herr’s Snack Factory would be a day trip for most —and with the promise of fresh chips — it’s totally worth it. With over 70 years of making snacks that make people smile, the famous potato chip factory gives tours Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Visitors also get a taste of Herr’s history, products, and souvenirs. The walking tours take roughly one hour and are handicap accessible. Let Herr’s staff know in advance if anyone in your group has special needs, so they can try to best accommodate them.

Cost: Adults (18+): $8, Students (4 years-17 years): $4, Children (3 & under): Free. 800-284-7488, herrs.com

REYNOLDS TAVERN – TEA PARTY

The historic Reynolds Tavern of Annapolis, Maryland — built in 1787 — consists of four levels complete with a pub in the cellar, tea rooms, and hotel rooms. The tea rooms remain unchanged from when they were built and are the perfect setting for children to spend the day being prim and proper with their tiny pinkies up. Carefully cut finger sandwiches, tea cakes, and pastries are just a few of the scrumptious items offered.

“A tea party is an excellent way to spend an hour or two with the grandkids without any distractions or any electronics,” said Marilyn Burge, proprietor at Reynolds Tavern. Burge shared how “Tea and Conversation” is an art that they hope to introduce to their younger guests. “It is not your regular dining experience. Everything is meant to be enjoyed at a nice pace while you share stories and make memories with those at your table,” Burge added. Reynolds Tavern is open seven days a week. Traditional English Afternoon Tea is served daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Eight different tea options, ranging in individual prices from $16 to $39 per person. 410-295-9555, reynoldstavern.org

PLAY N’ LEARN

Play N’ Learn is the perfect weather-proof activity. Rain or shine and avoid unbearable heat. The indoor facility offers a variety of playgrounds so that kids tire themselves out playing instead of the other way around.

With locations in Columbia, Maryland, and Chantilly, Virginia, the spacious showrooms feature safe rubber flooring, swing sets, basketball hoops, trampolines, air hockey, ping pong, and foosball tables best suited to entertain ages 2 to 8 during two-hour play sessions. Columbia does open play Monday – Friday starting at 10 a.m., with the last session starting at 3 p.m. Chantilly’s open play is Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Online ticketing is offered at Columbia. Call 703-502-1864 to book for Chantilly.

Cost: $10 per child (12 months – 15 years). 410-992-0992, playnlearn.com

“The B&O Railroad Museum is easily one of the best railroad museums in the country, if not the world.”

Cost: Adults: $20, Seniors (60+): $17, Children (2-12): $12, 2nd Wednesday of the Month: $10. 410-752-2490, borail.org

HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS

The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens pay homage to Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of the richest women of the 20th century. Known for her stellar hospitality, Post left her exquisitely maintained mansion, gardens, and collections for the public’s enjoyment at the Washington, DCbased estate.

According to their website, most guests spend about three hours enjoying all that Hillwood has to offer. Visitors can grab a copy of a printed tour, download an audio tour or explore on their own. A major benefit to grandparents who might not be as mobile, they have wheelchair-accessible paths on their grounds, the Japanese garden is the only portion that can’t be accessed by wheelchair. They hold wheelchairs in the visitor’s center for those who need them during their visit.

Enjoy a meal during your stay. Bring in your own food for a picnic or dine at the Merriweather Café. You can also purchase food for an impromptu picnic. Hillwood is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM

Calling all train enthusiasts! See the birthplace of American railroading in Baltimore, Maryland seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located on the historic grounds of the B&O Railroad’s Mt. Clare shops, the beloved museum houses some of the world’s most important pieces of American railroading history and offers a range of events, educational programs, tours, and more for visitors of all ages. For CNET, Geoffrey Morrison wrote,

Cost: Free (donations accepted) 202-686-5807, hillwoodmuseum.org

Many thanks to our readers who shared several of these activities as recommendations on our Facebook group: Things to do in Maryland. Please continue to share your ideas for us to investigate. Last but not least, happy adventuring!

LIFE IS BETTER WITH A SMILE

Want to know how the Hammerhead did? He nailed it! Scan the QR Code to see how YOU did.

ANNAPOLIS GREEK FESTIVAL

June 3-4. Family-friendly festival with Greek dance performers, cuisine, and music. Free. Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis. annapolisgreekfestival.org

CAPITAL JAZZ FEST

June 2-4. The Capital Jazz Fest is one of the premier black music events in the country, featuring over 30 live acts over three days. The Pavilion Stage features live contemporary jazz, while the Symphony Woods Stage (dark on Friday) features live R&B/soul music from the old-school and the new! Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia. capitaljazz.com/fest

FREDERICK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

June 10-11. Juried fine arts festival featuring over 100 artists from across the country, live entertainment,

From the lively Annapolis Greek Festival to the soulful Capital Jazz Fest and the artistic extravaganza of Paint Annapolis, this month is packed with events that will ignite your senses and leave you with lasting memories. So, mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey through Maryland's vibrant festival scene, where community spirit and joyful celebration artist demonstrations, children's activities, food and fun. 10am-5pm. Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick. frederickartscouncil.org

COMMUNITY FAMILY DAY

June 3. Music, crafts, kids' games, and food. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Downs Park, Pasadena. facebook.com/ FriendsOfDownsParkInc

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

June 10. Celebrate all things strawberry with crafts, demonstrations, strawberry wine and shortcake and children's and adults' entertainment. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Benson-Hammond House, Linthicum. aachs.org

Bowiefest

June 3. Carnival rides, performances, contests, food and drinks, an arts and

Maryland Summer Fun Guide

crafts fair, business expo, and local organizations. Free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. cityofbowie.org

FEAST OF ST ANTHONY ITALIAN FESTIVAL

June 9–11. Italian food, vino, beer, vendors, art display, bingo, bocce tournament and children's activities. Free. Fri. 5:30-9p.m.; Sat. Noon–6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Exeter and Stiles Streets, Baltimore. promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org

ST. MICHAELS BREWFEST - 2023

June 3. Live music from 10 bands, delicious food, over 100 beers and more. Noon-4pm. $50-110. Downtown, St. Michaels. stmichaelsbrewfest.com

SYKESVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

June 10. Games, pony rides, music, food, vendors and more. 9am-4pm.

Free. Gamber Fire Department

Carnival Grounds, 3838 Niner Road, Finksburg, melchurch.org

CHILDREN'S DAY ON THE FARM

June 4. Petting zoo, live entertainment, tractor parade, food, ox cart and pony rides and more. 11am5pm. Free; some activities require a fee. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org

ART ON THE AVENUE BLOCK PARTY

June 10. Block party held in conjunction with Annapolis Arts Week. Food, artists, drinks, vendors and juried art exhibition. 4–8 p.m. Free. State Circle, Annapolis. Annapolisartsweek.com

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FOLK FESTIVAL

June 8-11. Authentic food, drinks, live music, dancing, Greek market, kidzone and more. Free. Noon-11pm. GreekTown Square and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Baltimore. facebook.com/GreekFolkFestival

END HUNGER DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

June 10. Boat race, local vendors and more to raise money and awareness for hunger in the community. Free to attend. 9am-4pm. Board Walk, North Beach. endhungercalvert.org/ dragonboat

ST. MARY'S CRAB FESTIVAL

June 10. Crabs, crab soup and other seafood dishes available for purchase. Regional crafters, a crab picking contest, and live music. $7. Children 12 and under free. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. St. Mary's County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown. visitstmarysmd.com

HONFEST

June 10–11. Celebrate the Hons of Baltimore with live music, food, children's activities and all the beehives and bouffants you can handle. Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m; Sun. Noon–8 p.m. Hampden, Baltimore. honfest.net

BELTWAY BBQ SHOWDOWN

June 6-7. This Maryland BBQ festival offers live music, a Classic Car Show, food and craft vendors, and children's area full of fun things to do. Favorite events occur under the Tasting Tent such as grilling demonstrations, the finger licking "Buck-A-Bone" ribs cooked by the competition, and the popular “People’s Choice” BBQ Sauce Boss contest which has 3 samples for $1. Admission $3–$10; ages 3 and under free. Noon–7 p.m. The Showplace Arena, Upper Marlboro. pgparks.com/710/Beltway-BBQShowdown

TIDES AND TUNES: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

June 15–Aug. 17. Thursdays at 7pm. Thursdays weekly. Music from all genres against backdrop of the Chesapeake Bay. Free, $10 donation suggested. 7–8:30 p.m. Annapolis Maritime Museum, Annapolis. amaritime.org

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL

June 16–18. Tour antique and classic boats, while enjoying live music, food, vendors, workshops, demonstrations, and family activities. $19; $7 for ages 6–17; Free for ages 5 and under. Price includes 2-day admission. Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels. cbmm.org

CHESAPEAKE CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL

June 24. Over 30 children's book authors and illustrators, music, crafts, food and chances to win signed books and other prizes. Free. 10am-2pm. Easton Library, 100 West Dover St. chesapeakechildrensbookfestival.com

OC AIR SHOW

June 10–11. This annual air show features a wide array of military jet demos, aerobatic performers, formation flight teams and parachute teams. Free, premium beach viewing tickets available. See website for schedule. Beach near the Show Center, Ocean City. ocairshow.com

LAKEFRONT SUMMER FESTIVAL

June 10–Sept. 23. Concerts, movies, dancing and weekly fun at the Lakefront. Performers and complete schedule TBA. Downtown Columbia Lakefront, Columbia. columbiaassociation.org

EASTPORT A ROCKIN'

June 24. Three stages with over 25 local bands, vendor booths, food and a kids’ area. $20. Kids 12 and under free. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Back Creek and Second Street, Eastport, Annapolis. eastportarockin.com

BEERFEST

June 24. Beer, food, vendors, activities and more. $10-25. Noon-6pm. Historic St. Mary's City Museum, St. Mary's City. stmaryscitybeerfest.org

CHESAPEAKE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

June 11. All-you-can-eat crabs, plus beer, music and more. Familyfriendly. Kids 3 and under, free. $42–$75. 12 pm.–5 p.m. Harbor Point, Waterfront at Central Plaza, Baltimore. mdcrabfest.com

MUD DAY

June 11. Family-friendly muddy mayhem including squishy art projects, a play in the mud kitchen, create a terrarium, paint with mud, giant mud pit and more. Advanced tickets required. $10. 10am–5 p.m. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center, Dowell. annmariegarden.org

For even more June Fairs & Festivals visit us online at ChesapeakeFamily.com.